10 los vegas to grand canyon drive Ideas

As if the two epic stops bookending this road trip aren’t motivation enough, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park is filled with other amazing places you can use to break up the 253 mile distance from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, or 4 and a half hour trip.

This article will help you plan out your trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, with all the best stops in between. Complete with maps and timings.

– Here’s what’s waiting for you if you travel from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car!

Don’t simply make your Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip about getting from one bucket list stop to another, instead make the most of the drive by squeezing in a few top Nevada and Arizona photo ops. If you’re renting a car in Las Vegas you might as well make the most of it! 

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No idea where to start? Here are the most exciting stops on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip, according to me. 

And if you don’t plan to drive or rent a car, here are the best Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas. Travel by land, air, and water on a guided tour of the major attractions. There’s no need to miss out!

For a hassle-free enjoyable day trip, join a bus tour that takes you straight to the Grand Canyon from your hotel in Las Vegas. Or for an incredible bird’s-eye view, soar above the canyon in a helicopter or airplane, after which you can hop on a boat to see the sights below.

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Here are the best stops on the Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive, including all the best places to stop between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon!

READ MORE: The Most Unique Places to Stay in the Grand Canyon

(Tents, tiny homes, glamping and sheep wagons!)

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Map of Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by Car

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While you’re in Las Vegas, how about doing a helicopter ride over the strip, or booking a ticket to the High Roller Ride at the Linq. Both offer amazing views of an iconic city! Also, read my review of staying at The Stratosphere – the Vegas hotel with the rollercoasters on the top!

Check out my top tips for making the most of Las Vegas here.

1. Lake Mead

You won’t be far into the Grand Canyon road trip, before you start to see Lake Mead. This lake lies on the Colorado River and is flanked by beautiful mountains. It makes for the perfect photo op (especially with a drone – check laws) and as if by magic there’s the Lake Mead Scenic View, Sunset View or Lake Mead National recreation area set up to make sure you get a snap worth sharing.

All have amazing views and if you’re already feeling like you need a quick refresh, you can take a quick dip in the water. LOOK AT IT! 

Click here if you want to experience the Grand Canyon by helicopter – one of the most impressive sights in the world. And if you just want to do a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Vegas, via the Hoover Dam, this is the tour for you.

Check out all the impressive Grand Canyon tours here.

Las Vegas to Lake Mead time and distance: 

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If you want to know more about the Grand Canyon, ready for your trip, watch this video!

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2. Hoover Dam

Hop in the car for another 10 minutes and pull up to the Hoover Dam. A big concrete arch on the border of Arizona and Nevada states, it might not sound that interesting but this spot has a load of historical significance and is pretty impressive to see.

The Hoover Dam is a 700-foot tall, man-made dam that produces hydroelectric power and water. Completed in 1936, it was considered an engineering win at the time, and you can now walk over the damn via the world’s tallest concrete arch bridge. If you want to get a bit more info then you can take a construction tour of the dam and adjoining powerplant.

Bit of a niche audience but if you want to learn more about the Hoover Dam, think about joining one of the Hoover Dam information tours. 

Lake Mead to Hoover Dam time and distance: 

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Directions to the Hoover Dam

Just put ‘Nevada 89005, United States’ in your Sat Nav, and it’ll give you the exact directions to the Hoover Dam.

The Hoover Dam is on the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It’s huge, you can’t really miss it. There’ll also be plenty of signs directing you to the Hoover Dam too. 

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3. Chloride, Arizona

Say hello to Arizona and a whole lot of history with a stop in the city of Chloride. As the oldest mining town in Arizona, there’s a fair bit of history and some cool things to see here, including the roadside junk art and quirky murals.

Only a few hundred people live in this place, but if you turn up on a reenactment day with mock gunfights, you’ll see a few more and get a real feel for what this town was like in its mining heyday.

Hoover Dam to Chloride time and distance: 

4. Kingman, Arizona

Also known for its history as well as the hiking, Kingman is worth parking up to take a look around. Depending on how much time you have on your Grand Canyon trip, you can make this a real educational stop by hitting up the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, the Route 66 Museum and Kingman Railroad Museum.

If you’re travelling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car, these are the kind of fun detours you can enjoy. 

If you’d prefer an alcoholic education then, granted you’re not the one at the wheel of the rental car, swing by the Cella Winery, Stetson Winery or Desert Diamond Distillery instead.

Chloride to Kingman time and distance: 

5. Alpacas of the Southwest

From Kingman you can opt to take the I-40 or Route 66. If you go for the I-40 then 14 miles east you’ll reach a ranch that’s home to 37 alpacas all waiting to be fed, petted and photographed.

For $11 per car you can get up close with a tour at the SouthWest Alpacas Farm, but be sure to put some dimes aside to purchase the essential souvenir: a pair of alpaca socks. No road trip to the Grand Canyon is complete without them.

Kingman to the alpacas time and distance: 

6. Keepers of the Wild

– Billy Connolly knows what it’s like driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon!

If instead of the I-40 you opted for Route 66, then apart from driving on one of the world’s most famous roads, you can surprisingly do a safari. Not quite what you were expecting on your Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive? Me neither but Keepers of the Wild is a sanctuary for rescue animals and offers tours for $20.

While you might be imagining the usual dogs and cats scenario, instead expect to see tigers, lions, bears and wallabees.

Alpacas to Keepers of the Wild time and distance: 

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READ MORE: This is one of the best US Road Trips you can go on.

Click to read my post for more!

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7. Seligman, Arizona

Whether you’re driving from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas or the other way around, consider making Seligman, aka the birthplace of Route 66, your next stop.

Throwing you back to the 1950s, Seligman has retained all its otherworldly charm. In fact, if you’ve ever watched the Disney movie Cars, you’ll know exactly what to expect because rumour has it Pixar may have drawn a little inspiration from this place. A dusty desert town, there are only 500 residents so it’s really quiet meaning no queues when you grab a milkshake from the Delgadillo’s Snow Cap drive-in or a buffalo burger from the Roadkill Cafe.

Keepers of the Wild to Seligman time and distance: 

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How about this for an Arizona road trip: the Phoenix to Sedona drive!

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8. Williams, Arizona

Before you take a swift turn north for the final stretch on your journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon south rim, pull in to the town of Williams.

Calling itself the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it marks the last part of the famous Route 66 and is again another one sending you onto what feels like a movie set, this time to the Wild West. Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, the Route 66 Zipline or a visit to the Bearizona Wildlife Park are all fun activities to do here.

Definitely one of the hotspots on the drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon!

Seligman to Williams time and distance: 

9. Kaibab National Forest

– One of the sweeter spots on the drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon

If you have a bit of time before you reach the Grand Canyon, stop off at the Kaibab National Forest. Think of the forest as a primer for the breathtaking views you’re about to see in the canyon itself.

The forest is 1.6 million acres of lush greenery making it the perfect spot for a quick hike or picnic. You can also get some great views from the Marble Viewpoint.

Williams to Kaibab time and distance: 

10. Tusayan

The closest pitstop to make from the Grand Canyon National Park is the town of Tusayan. It sits just by the south rim entrance so is a good alternative for accommodation if everything closer is fully booked.

The town itself is quite small and made up of hotels and restaurants and so while it’s not bursting with things to do, it’s a good place to consider parking and then taking the shuttle bus up to the entrance. This is a good spot on the drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon if you just want somewhere to chill. 

Kaibab to Tusayan time and distance: 

11. Grand Canyon

You definitely need a few days in the Grand Canyon to explore the best of the area. How about doing a Grand Canyon West Rim Skywalk while you’re there?

Alternatively, this jeep and hike tour of the Grand Canyon looks pretty sweet too. These tours are great if you want to know more about the Grand Canyon, how it came to be, and need all your weird and wonderful questions answered.

Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car

And you’ve made it! 

Fun route for travelling from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car, hey?

Let me know how you get on.  

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You can book good value, reliable car hire with Rental Cars – use this link for the best deals.

READ MORE

One of the best things to do between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon is to find some cool places to stay. 

12 Unique Places to Stay Near the Grand Canyon

Tents, tiny homes, glamping and sheep wagons!

READ MORE 

The best Grand Canyon day hikes for you to enjoy on Vagrants of the World. One of the best things to do from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is to get out and see the views for yourself.

Want another Vegas road trip option? How about driving from Vegas to Yosemite?

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Popular questions about driving from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

How far is Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?

It’s 253 miles from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas. The drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is a 4 and a half hour trip, straight. However, I’d totally recommend you take the detours on this list to really make the most of your road trip. 

More cities near the Grand Canyon 

– Just two hours north of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and you can visit the incredible Zion National Park. Here you can follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked.

If you look at a map you’ll see there are lots of National Parks near the Grand Canyon. If you want to extend your trip to look round these, then it’s really easy to drive there. 

Here are some of the best cities near the Grand Canyon, with their distances and timings too. I just want to make it as easy as possible for you to enjoy your road trip from Las vegas to Grand Canyon, and vice versa. 

Sedona in Arizona would be my top choice, in fact, I’ve written a guide to the best things to do in Sedona here.

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FAQs about Vegas to Grand Canyon Stops

1. How is the drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon?

The drive is pretty easy. You’ll pass some high points but these give the best views. It’s mostly highway, and coming from England, the roads seem super wide so you’ll have plenty of space to manoeuvre. We had no problems driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, and I hope you don’t either! 

2. What are some cool things to do on drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas? 

Well, apart from all the cool stops from Vegas to Grand Canyon, you can also have fun in the car. There are loads of fun car games you can play, you can make some cool road trip playlists before you go, and you can also enjoy all the drive thrus on a road trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. The scenery from the car is worth the trip alone!

3. Is there a national park from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon?

Lake Mead, which happens to be the US largest reservoir, is the national park that can be passed by on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip. And hey, if it counts, Grand Canyon itself is a national park exposing a rich history of rock formation.

4. Is Las Vegas close to Grand Canyon?

The distance between Las Vegas and to Grand Canyon is over 270 miles which would take more than 4 hours to drive. With this fact, Las Vegas is not that close to the Grand Canyon but the good thing about is its road trip is worth taking!

5. Are there any tolls from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon?

Based on the accounts of drivers, there are no tolls between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. Park fees are required though.

6. What to expect on a las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car?

Expect a scenic drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. A landscape of earthy palette would something you would enjoy from this trip.

7. What is the closest rim on a trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon?

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is the closest to Las Vegas. A trip going to this route is only over 130 miles which are estimated to be a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

8. What does a one-day trip look like on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon trip?

A one-day trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon would either have the North Rim or South rim as the destination — both routes cover 270 miles distance. Stops would usually include the Hoover Dam, Seligman, AZ Route 66, Snow Cap Drive-In, Lilo’s Cafe, and more. Learn more about these by checking the places I featured that you must visit on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon.

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More on road trips in the USA 

Incredible Stops on an Florida Road Trip

How to Plan an Emerald Coast Road Trip

The Best Stops on an LA to Vegas Road Trip

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